Camphor Oil

Camphor Oil is an essential oil extracted from Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum Camphora) by steam distillation. It is used in alternative medicine for its several therapeutic benefits. It is used as decongestant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative, and local anesthetic. In modern medicine, it is also found in liniments and creams used for pain relief.

Types of Camphor Oil

There are three types of camphor oil available:

White Camphor Oil

Brown Camphor Oil

Yellow Camphor Oil

Brown and yellow camphor oils are not used in medicines because they contain a substance called safrole. Safrole is a highly toxic and carcinogenic compound. However, white camphor oil also contains a small amount of safrole, but its level is not significant to cause any problem. White camphor oil is commonly used in medicines for its therapeutic benefits.

Chemical Constituents

Chemical constitution varies according to the part of Cinnamomum Camphora Tree used for the extraction of camphor oil. Here is a brief detail: (1)

Safrole Content in Different Types of Camphor Oil

White Camphor Oil

Traces

Yellow Camphor Oil

Around 10 to 20%

Brown Camphor Oil

Around 80%

Pharmacological Actions

Airways & Lungs: Camphor Oil dissolves thick mucus, clears respiratory tract and lungs, relieves congestion, and eases in breathing. However, it might not be suitable for people with non-productive coug or cough arising from the throat irritation.

Heart & Blood Vessels: It acts as cardiac stimulant and inotropic. It stimulates cardiac muscles and improves speed and force of muscle contraction. It also stimulates blood circulation. On the skin, it dilates blood vessels.

Digestive Health: It causes excessive salivation, reduces thirst, increases the secretion of gastric juices, and relieves gas. In excess, it causes nausea, vomiting and loss of interest in eating.

Kidney & Urinary Bladder: It stimulates kidneys and induces diuresis.

Reproductive System: In low dosage, it acts as aphrodisiac and stimulant and improves libido. In high dosage, it reduces libido. It also reduces the secretion of milk in lactating mothers.

Therapeutic Indications

In the following health conditions, diluted Camphor Oil can be used for local application.

Arthritic pain

Toenail Fungus (onychomycosis)

Itching and skin irritation

Gas (abdominal massage with castor oil + camphor oil – ratio 100:1)

Skin infections

Spasm

Burn scar

Undiluted camphor oil should not be used, and it should not exceed 11% in analgesic liniments, creams, or ointments. In lotions, its quantity should not exceed 1%.

Camphor Oil Benefits & Uses

Camphor Oil mainly used to reduce inflammation, pain, stiffness and excess mucus discharge in respiratory diseases or infections. Therefore, it is beneficial in pain disorders including arthritic pain, rheumatism, and muscular pain. For its expectorant and decongestant properties, it is used to treat cough, colds, flu and bronchitis.

It is a major constituent of balms, cold rubs, liniments and creams used to alleviates local pain, stiffness, inflammation and swelling. It blocks sensory nerves on the skin and alleviates pain sensations.

In respiratory diseases, camphor oil is used in vapor therapy to clear the lungs and ease breathing. Vapor therapy with camphor essential oil can also help to boost blood circulation, calm mind, and strengthen heart. It is also a main constituent of decongestant balms used for alleviating inflammation and reducing blockage of nasal tract, bronchi and lungs. The most of such medicines are applied on the chest.

Pain Relief

Camphor oil or camphor is a main ingredient of many pain relieving balms, creams, liniments and ointments. It acts as a counter-irritant and rubefacient. First, it produces a feeling of warmth by increasing blood flow. Then it exerts a soothing action and produces coolness. Ultimately, it relieves pain.

For this purpose, it is used along with other ingredients including base (paraffin or beeswax), menthol, clove oil, mint oil, cajuput essential oil, cassia oil, cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, gaultheria fragrantissima oil, etc. A famous Tiger Balm also contains camphor as a chief ingredient.

Spams

Camphor essential oil has antispasmodic action, which helps to relieve spasms and cramps. In abdominal spasm or cramps, it is mixed in castor oil and applied on the abdomen. A circular clockwise massage with this oil mixture is highly beneficial to relieving abdominal spasm.

Oils

Mixing Proportion

Castor Oil

100 ml

Camphor Oil

5 ml

For muscular spasms in the back, legs, arm or neck, it should be mixed in olive oil, sesame oil, or mustard oil instead of castor oil.

Oils

Mixing Proportion

Olive oil, sesame oil, or mustard oil

100 ml

Camphor Oil

5 ml

Nasal Congestion

The aroma of Camphor essential oil acts as decongestant. Decongestant balms containing camphor can be used for relieving nasal congestion.

Skin Disease

Camphor oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, disinfectant and soothing action. It is added in several lotions and ointments for its these therapeutic benefits. It alleviates skin irritation and reduces pruritus (severe itching). It acts on sensory nerves and exerts local anesthetic and analgesic action. It also produces a soothing sensation, which helps to relieve these symptoms.

How to Use

If patient has burning sensation in the skin, itching, irritation, scaly patches on skin and swelling, it can be used mixing in coconut oil in ratio of 100:1. Regular application of coconut camphor oil helps relieving all these symptoms.

Nail Fungus

In nail fungus, a mixture of Camphor essential oil, oregano oil and tea tree oil can help to get rid of nail fungus. These three essential oils have potent antifungal properties, and these can be used in the following ratio.

Oils

Mixing Proportion

Oregano Oil

10 ml

Tea Tree Oil

5 ml

Camphor essential Oil

1 ml

How to Use

Apply the mixture of these three oils on the affected nails 3 to 5 times a day. The treatment course may vary from 10 to 12 weeks. Some patients may also require its regular application for a longer duration.

Burn Scars

Camphor oil along with Frankincense essential oil, Turmeric essential Oil and almond oil helps to reduce burn scars. The following mixture of oils can lighten the scar marks.

Oils

Mixing Proportion

Coconut Oil

50 ml

Almond Oil

50 ml

Frankincense oil

2 ml

Turmeric Oil

2 ml

Camphor Oil

1 ml

How to Use

The above mixture should be applied on the affected skin 3 to 4 times a day for at least 3 months.

Camphor oil use in Aromatherapy

However, camphor essential oil is rarely used in aromatherapy due to its neurotoxic nature. The unwise use can also cause convulsions, especially in people with history of convulsions or epilepsy.

The best use of camphor essential oil in aromatherapy is to add 1-3 drops in bathtub and soak in water for 5 to 10 minutes. It helps to calm the mind, improves mood, reduces mental stress, and treats anxiety and depression. For the best results, it can be used along with the following essential oils:

Essential Oils

Health Conditions

Basil essential oil

Respiratory infections, productive cough, congestion

Cajuput essential oil

Skin care, congestion, cough

Chamomile essential oil

Stress, depression, spasm, neuralgic pain

Melissa essential oil

Depression, menstrual spams

Lavender essential oil

Insomnia (sleeplessness), hair care

How to use Camphor Oil

Camphor essential oil should always be used along with a base. Coconut oil is the best suitable base for it. The mixing ratio should be 100:1.

Coconut Oil

100 ml

Camphor Oil

1 ml

One can apply this mixture onto the skin and scalp. It reduces itching, dandruff, burning and skin irritation.

According to health condition, one can also add other essential oils in this mixture in quantity of 1 to 3 ml.

Safety Profile

Camphor oil is not added in any medicine used for oral consumption. However, processed camphor (also called Shuddha Karpur) is added in a very low amount in some formulations used in traditional medicine. The amount added in formulations varies from 1 to 5 mg of processed camphor. This amount does not produce any side effects when used for a short period (less than 4 weeks).

We consider oral intake of Camphor Oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Camphor essential oil is not purified in traditional way. Therefore, it might cause adverse effects even in minimal dosage.

For local application, it should be added in a base (e.g. coconut oil). Pure essential oil of camphor can cause skin irritation when applied without a base, especially in people with sensitive skin.

Side effects of Camphor Oil

Oral consumption can cause the following side effects:

Nausea

Vomiting

Loss of interest in eating

Burning sensation in the mouth and throat

Seizures

Visual impairment

Death: In excess dosage (above 2 grams), it can be lethal.

Precautions

Pure Camphor oil should not be rubbed directly onto the skin. However, coconut oil can be used as its base and ratio of mixing should be 100:1 (coconut oil 100 ml + Camphor Oil 1 ml).

Contraindications

People suffering from or having following health conditions should not use camphor oil:

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Dr. Jagdev Singh (B.A.M.S., M. Sc. in Medicinal Plants) is a Licensed Ayurvedic Practitioner under Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) Act India and Board of Ayurvedic and Unani Medicine, Chandigarh since 2010. He is running his ‘Ayurveda Clinic’ in Rupnagar, Punjab, India.

He has successfully treated thousands of patients with Ayurvedic Medicine and Ayurvedic Diet. Ayur Times is an initiative of his efforts to bring quality information on Indian Medicine with the highest level of relevancy and scientific evidence.